Tasting Notes

Lovely, black cherry Shiraz nose with a hint of pepper. Silky texture on the palate with a good structure of soft tannins. More akin to Rhône than Australia. Powerful and great value. Julien won the top 'Coup de Coeur' award at the Flying French Winemakers Show for the Syrah!

More information

Julien Schaal is from Alsace but he makes a regular foray to South Africa where he is producing some really excellent wine from the southerly cooler area of Hermanus (where you can go whale-watching!). The grapes are not certified organic but organic sprays and fertilizers are used. The grapes are hand-picked and spend 12 months in 900 litre French oak vats.

Julien's partners, Newton Johnson, are doing a lot to help their workers. They are paid 25% more than average and are receiving help to finance cars and houses, as well as attending courses on vineyard management in order to build their skills.

Julien has also personally helped a local winemaker, Jerome, to make his own wine, then liked it so much he bought it to blend into one of his own wines. Julien says "He is a really nice guy and quite smart, so last year he found a deal with a vinegrower from the valley to get 1 ton of Merlot almost for free. I helped him to make this wine at Newton Johnson, I gave him 3 barrels for the ageing. When I came back this year, I found his wine so good that I bought the 1 barrel for my blend Merlot Petit Verdot 2006. For sure it is a small part of my blend but I paid him a very fair price and that help him to keep going further."

Julien would prefer not to shout about this because he didn't do it for marketing purposes - nevertheless it is an illustration of some of the good things that are happening in South Africa at ground level which aren't certified Fairtrade but are following similar principles.

Suitable for Vegetarians